Courses for Biology Majors

BIOL L101 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES I (5 cr) P: Math Level 4 (by Placement Exam, or completion of MATH M107 with a C or better).
Lecture and laboratory. Fundamental principles of biology for students considering a career in the biological sciences. Principles of genetics, evolution, ecology and diversity. I, II

BIOL L102 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES II (5 cr) P: Math Level 4 (by Placement Exam or completion of MATH M107). One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry; R: BIOL LI01 Lecture and laboratory.
Fundamental principles of biology for students considering a career in the biological sciences. Cell structure and function bioenergetics, organismal morphology and physiology, and diversityI, II

BIOL B300 VASCULAR PLANTS (3cr.) P: BIOL Ll0l, BIOL L102.
Lecture and laboratory. A survey of vascular plant diversity, with emphasis on identification of species, genera, and families using morphological features, and an introduction to the principles and practices of modern plant systematics, including phylogenetic theory, types of systematic evidence, and speciation processes.

BIOL L391 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (5cr.) P: BIOL L101, BIOL L102.
Lecture and laboratory. Survey of the phyla of the animal kingdom with emphasis on the morphology, physiology, classification and evolutioary relationships between animals. II (even years)

BIOL L317 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (3cr.) P: BIOL L211. R: BIOL L312.
Analysis of developmental processes that lead to the construction of whole organisms from single cells. Includes the principles of embryology and molecular mechanisms of development. II (odd years)

BIOL L318 EVOLUTION (3cr.) P: BIOL, L211 & L311.
Rigorous exploration of the theory of evolution - the conceptual core of biology. Topics covered include the history of evolutionary thought, the evidence for evolution, the major evolutionary mechanisms, adaptation, the origin of species, and methods for reconstructing evolutionary history II (even years)

BIOL L342 TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGY FIELD STUDY (3cr) P: or C: BIOL L304.
Tropical marine ecosystems are studied in detail during a 10-day trip to a field site in the Caribbean. II or S (even years). Click here for more information

BIOL L391 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (1-3 cr.) P: BIOL L101, BIOL L102 (additional pre-requisites may apply depending on topic).
A detailed examination of an area within biology. Topics will vary. Open to non-majors with appropriate prerequisites.

BIOL L403 BIOLOGY SEMINAR (1 cr.) P: senior standing with major in Biology; completion of at least 15 credit hours or upper-level Biology majors courses.
Capstone course in the Biology major. Research paper and individual presentations of topics of current importance. II

BIOL A464 HUMAN TISSUE BIOLOGY (4-5 cr.) P: BIOL L101, BIOL L102.
Lecture and laboratory. Analyzes the structure and activities of the cells that make up the human body, concentrating on the aspects of cellular morphology important for biochemical function. Fundamental types of distinct tissues (epithelial, muscular, nervous and connective) are described, emphasizing the functional significance of the structural features. Organ systems are discussed with regard to how their tissue composition and arrangement mediates their diverse functions. I (odd years)

BIOL L490 INDIVIDUAL STUDY(Cr. arr., 6cr. max) P: Written permission of faculty member supervising research is required.
A written report must be completed as evidence of each semester's work. Student must present an oral report to receive more than 3 credit hours. II, S

MICR M315 MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY (2cr) P: or C: MICR M310.
Exercises and demonstrations in the principles and techniques of cultivation and utilization of microrganisms. II

PHSL P261 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (5cr.) P: CHEM C102 or PHSL P130.
Lecture and laboratory. Introduction to the basic structure and function of the human body including laboratory studies in gross anatomy, histology and physiology. Topics are cellular anatomy and physiology, body tissues and integument, and the skeletal, muscle, endocrine and nervous systems. Credit not allowed toward the Biology major (but required as a pre-requisite for PHSL P262, which can be used as a Biology majors elective). I, II